6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Switching Off and How to Fix It 

Your furnace keeps your house warm during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is off. One frequent complaint is a furnace that continually turns on and turns off over and over. This operating error is known as short cycling. It stresses your heating system and might lead to expensive repairs or even early failure. 

Short cycling can be caused by for a few reasons. Before you request furnace repair, research the possible causes and how to resolve the issue. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other substances that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t get a new filter often enough, it can get clogged and decrease the airflow. When this occurs, a safety device turns off the furnace to stop getting too warm. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, replace the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Obstructed Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and look for shut or blocked air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

The furnace blower has blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t move correctly, leading to overheating and short cycling. Frequently changing the filter is the simplest method to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, request furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Check your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Ensure the thermostat is on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in full sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting tips. 

5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas turns off sooner and the furnace shuts off. Leave the work of repairing a dirty flame sensor to a professional like Epperson Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it involves heating and cooling equipment, larger isn’t always best. An oversized system warms up your residence too fast, leading to intolerable temperature fluctuations and short cycling. The only way to resolve this issue is to request new furnace installation

If you try the fixes we mentioned here and nothing has changed, it’s time to contact the pros at Epperson Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, diagnose the cause, and provide the necessary service. Our goal is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our services are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, reach us at 843-619-3781 now! 

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*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions. 

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